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What does Trump mean for U.S. image?
CNN ^ | July 24, 2015 | Frida Ghitis

Posted on 07/24/2015 11:04:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

The American electoral circus has taken the stage and people around the world are watching in disbelief. To say they are not impressed would be an understatement. A Colombian columnist called Donald Trump a "lab rat," for testing the U.S. tolerance of toxic political debate. In India, a commentator writes dismissively that the "self-declared 'greatest' democracy is descending into a farce."

Sadly, the reality is that the early stages of the 2016 presidential race are providing the world -- and America -- with a lesson in the weaknesses of the system.

Trump, who currently leads polls for the Republican nomination, has built his campaign on attention-grabbing insults and a level of self-adulation so distasteful that it works better as parody than promotion. It's no wonder comedians (and Democrats) are having the time of their lives watching his show.

His quick rise demonstrates how a politician can manipulate the electorate, particularly when the field is so large and divided, how name recognition and shock value can so easily tip the scales, and how appealing to fear and prejudice under the guise of "plain talk" can fire up certain segments of the electorate.

In fact this carnivalesque approach is proving so successful that another candidate, Sen. Lindsay Graham, decided to give it a try. After Trump called him an idiot and gave out his cell phone number, Graham put on a show of his own, complete with a samurai sword slashing through his flaming phone.

What's the world to make of American democracy in light of all this?

Sure, some of it is funny. And it is electoral politics, so people expect a lot of empty talk. But Trump is not just a windbag. Yes, he can be that. But much of what he says is also really toxic....

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: trump
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Americas IMAGE has been Photoshopped to DEATH..

It's called PROPAGANDA... the Russians had/have a virtual University thats teaches only propaganda..

"Rules for Radicals"- Saul Alinsky.. is the primer..
America journalists are indeed propagandists..
Not ALL, just ALMOST all of them..


41 posted on 07/25/2015 11:39:01 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited (specifically) to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: hosepipe
"Rules for Radicals"- Saul Alinsky.. is the primer.. America journalists are indeed propagandists.. Not ALL, just ALMOST all of them..

Nothing there that Madison Avenue hasn't been doing for years.

42 posted on 07/25/2015 11:40:24 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: hosepipe

Someone needs to talk America down off the LEDGE..
Cruz seems to be THAT GUY...


43 posted on 07/25/2015 11:40:59 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited (specifically) to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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